Hints From Heloise: Identifying patients

DEAR HELOISE: Since most doctors’ offices commonly use a patient’s DOB (date of birth) to clarify, have the doctor’s office use that when they leave a reminder MESSAGE: “This Dr. Smith calling to remind John 12/27/38 that he has an appointment ...”

In this way, it identifies patients more specifically while maintaining their privacy.

Larry in Cypress, Texas

DEAR LARRY: Thanks for offering your suggestion to a reader complaint about leaving doctor’s-appointment reminders at an assisted-living facility. The odds of having two people with the same first name and birthday are negligible.

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